More Army penpals in 2010

Intake into the UK Armed Forces over the past year could make it easier to find Army penpals of either gender during 2010.

Figures from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) show that 10.1 per cent more recruits joined in 2009 than in the previous year, with 24,010 new members of the UK Regular Forces.

The year also saw an increase in the proportion of women serving in the Armed Forces, which could be welcome news to men looking for Army penpals.

Almost a tenth (nine per cent) of members of the UK Regular Forces are now women, with the proportion rising to 12.2 per cent in officer ranks.

Defence minister Kevan Jones says: "Life in the Armed Forces is one of the most challenging careers available, but one which rewards recruits with a sense of real purpose, teamwork and service."

Prime minister Gordon Brown recently held a Downing Street reception at which he marked the tenth anniversary of an event that may have changed the face of Army dating for some uniform singles, the decision to allow gay men to join the Armed Forces.